Colombia: Difference between revisions

'''Colombia''', officially the Republic of Colombia, is a nation in South America spanning approximately 1,138,914 km², with a population of about 52 million as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colombia |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Its official language is Spanish, and its economy relies on agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. The [[Catholic Church]], with approximately 39 million Catholics (75%) as of 2023, is the majority religion, introduced in the 16th century through Spanish missions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Colombia |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Centered in [[Bogotá]], with devotion to the [[Virgin of Chiquinquirá]] and [[Saint Peter Claver]], and sites like the [[Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá]], the Church profoundly shapes Colombia’s cultural and spiritual identity.[](https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO)[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/04/18/venerated-saints-colombia/)

Colombia spans 1,138,914 km², bordered by [[Venezuela]], [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], [[Ecuador]], [[Panama]], and the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colombia: Geography |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Its tropical climate and diverse terrain support coffee and emerald production, sustaining Catholic communities in regions like Antioquia. Major cities include [[Bogotá]], [[Medellín]], and [[Cartagena]], with Bogotá’s [[Primatial Cathedral]] as a key Catholic site. Pilgrimage routes to the [[Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá]] foster devotion.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Catholic Encyclopedia: Colombia |author=New Advent |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |year=1913 |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04106a.htm |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref>[](https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04121b.htm)

Colombia gained independence in 1810, succeeding [[New Granada]], with roots in indigenous Muisca and Tairona cultures and Spanish colonization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Colombia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Colombia |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Catholicism, introduced in the 16th century by Spanish missionaries, shaped colonial society and remained influential despite 20th-century conflicts like La Violencia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholicism in Colombia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Colombia |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2024-11-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> The Church has mediated peace processes, though Protestantism is growing.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Colombia)

Colombia’s population is approximately 52 million as of 2023, with 75% (39 million) identifying as Catholic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colombia: People and Society |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Catholics are widespread, particularly in urban areas like Bogotá and rural regions like Boyacá.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Colombia |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Ethnic groups include Mestizo (58%), White (20%), Afro-Colombian (14%), and Amerindian (4%). Protestantism and secular trends challenge Catholic dominance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Religion in Colombia |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2020/06/15/religion-in-colombia/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=2020-06-15 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref>[](https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO)

The [[Catholic Church in Colombia]] operates through 13 Latin Rite ecclesiastical provinces and 1 Maronite apostolic exarchate, totaling 66 dioceses and exarchates, serving about 39 million Catholics under the [[Colombian Episcopal Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Colombia |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> The Church supports parishes, schools, and charities via [[Caritas Colombia]], with lay catechists vital in rural and conflict-affected areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caritas Colombia: Our Work |url=https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/latin-america/colombia/ |publisher=Caritas |date=2024-03-10 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref>[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Colombia)[](https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO)[](https://x.com/ZuluagaCamila/status/1926615572516630634)

The Catholic Church in Colombia has 13 Latin Rite ecclesiastical provinces and 1 Maronite apostolic exarchate, totaling 66 jurisdictions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Colombia (by Ecclesiastical Provinces) |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO-prov.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dioceses |url=https://www.cec.org.co/directorio/diocesis |publisher=Colombian Episcopal Conference |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Jurisdictions include:[](https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO-province)

*** [[Diocese of Buenaventura]] (Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca)[](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Buenaventura)

*** [[Diocese of Tumaco]] (Tumaco, Nariño)[](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Tumaco)

Catholicism was introduced in the 16th century by Spanish missionaries, notably [[Dominicans]] and [[Jesuits]], following the conquest of the Muisca in the 1530s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholicism in Colombia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Colombia |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2024-11-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Missions established Christianity, with devotion to the [[Virgin of Chiquinquirá]] emerging by the 16th century after her 1586 apparition.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Colombia)[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/04/18/venerated-saints-colombia/)

* Apparition of the [[Virgin of Chiquinquirá]] (1586), sparking national devotion.[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/04/18/venerated-saints-colombia/)

* Canonization of [[Saint Peter Claver]] (1888), recognized for his work with enslaved Africans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Claver Canonization |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/1888-01/peter-claver-canonization.html |author=Vatican News |publisher=Vatican News |date=1888-01-15 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref>

Catholics celebrate [[Christmas]], [[Easter]], and the feast of the [[Virgin of Chiquinquirá]] (July 9) with Masses and processions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Traditions in Colombia |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/colombia |publisher=Catholics & Cultures |date=2022-08-01 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref> Pilgrimages to the [[Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá]] in Boyacá draw thousands annually.[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/04/18/venerated-saints-colombia/)

The [[Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception]] in Medellín and [[Cathedral of Saint Peter Claver]] in Cartagena are significant historical sites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Colombia |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref>[](https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/CO)

The [[Virgin of Chiquinquirá]] and [[Saint Peter Claver]], revered for their spiritual and social significance, are Colombia’s patron saints.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Saints of Colombia |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/2023-02-10.pdf |publisher=Vatican |date=2023-02-10 |access-date=2025-05-25}}</ref>[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/04/18/venerated-saints-colombia/)